Durham Family Chiropractic

Health and Wellbeing

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What’s the Crack? by Dr Stuart Bennett

As chiropractors we are often asked this question. We are apparently infamous for cracking backs and necks.

Stuart Bennet chiropractor explains –  What is a crack or a pop? Because quite simply,

We don’t crack bones,

We do adjust joints

The joints we adjust are usually synovial (two bones or more with a joint capsule), which basically contain fluid. This fluid helps to protect your joints acting as a shock absorber.

This fluid absorbs gases from the body,(mostly CO2 and Nitrogen) and when we adjust a joint, we stretch that joint capsule and a small amount of the gas is released and makes a ‘popping’ sound (just like opening a bottle of pop).

Sometimes this popping sound is loud, sometimes quiet and sometimes no sound is made at all.

So here is the secret

  • The crack has nothing to do with what we as chiropractors do.
  • We adjust to increase mobility, stimulate the neurology and realign the spine.
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Are there health benefits to eating chocolate?

 We often hear about the negative effect chocolate can have on our bodies, but we don’t often hear about the health benefits that chocolate has. Of course, chocolate can be bad for you if you eat it in large amounts, but chocolate in moderation can have its benefits.

Chocolate can:

  • Lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure: ‘’Chocolate may support cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood pressure.” This is because it reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is also known as bad cholesterol.
  • Improve blood flow to the brain: ‘’Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people.’’ This is because chocolate can reduce or prevent damage to the nerve pathways in the brain and studies are being done to see the effects of this in reducing diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke: Studies have shown that eating chocolate can reduce the risks of developing heart disease and stroke

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Health Benefits of Gardening

Protect your back whilst enjoying the health benefits of pottering in your garden.

 

It is that time of the year that the sun is starting to shine and the surrounding countryside is full of  golden daffodils, fragrant blossoms and bouncing lambs. Just the motivation needed to get ourselves outdoors and start think about our own gardening needs and jobs. [Read more…] about Health Benefits of Gardening

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Exams becoming a pain in the neck?

The exam period can be a stressful time for many students: Long periods of revision hunched over a book, computer or notes and then the exams themselves, with hours of focused concentration.

Consumer research (2017) by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) found that 37% of 16-24 year olds have struggled with back or neck pain in the past.

Our Chiropractor, Stuart Bennett says:

“The pressures of assignments and studies mean that a lot of time can be spent behind a desk and whilst stress doesn’t cause back and neck pain it can exacerbate the symptoms, so it’s important that students take steps to ensure this doesn’t affect their work. Simple actions such as taking regular breaks, drinking water and doing exercise can help prevent these symptoms and keep you focused. “

We at Durham Family Chiropractic have helped many of our students and this is what  Megan has to to say:

Exams and writing my dissertation, totally stressed me out and I was constantly suffering with tightness in the shoulders and headaches. Thanks to regular adjustments from my chiropractor and a healthy lifestyle,  I kept my head clear and survived my studies in one piece!”

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Health Benefits of the Tomato-“Love Apple”

February is considered the month of love, so why not examine all things good that symbolise love?The French actually named it tomato d’amour, “love apple,” because of its believed aphrodisiac power. Whether or not this prophecy  is true, there is a lot to love about the tomato.

According to an article published in Medical News Today, a tomato is considered to be a nutrient-dense superfood that offers benefit to a range of bodily systems. Its nutritional content supports healthful skin, weight loss, and heart health.

There are different types and sizes of tomato, and they can be prepared in different ways. The health benefits can vary between types. Eating a diet that contains large amounts of fruit and vegetables, is also linked to healthy skin and hair, increased energy, and lower weight. Increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables significantly decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality.

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Essential Vitamin D

Did you know that Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles?

 We need vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet. These minerals are important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.

According to the NHS, a lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

During the spring and summer months, most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. However, in the UK, the winter sunlight doesn’t contain enough UVB radiation for our skin to be able to make vitamin D. During these months, we rely on getting our vitamin D from food sources and supplements. Using sunbeds is not a recommended way of making vitamin D.

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